Just Noticed Pulsatile Tinnitus

[xraychick01]

Hello everyone. I just happened to notice it for the first time ever a few days ago. Occasionally I get a whooshing sound in my left and sometimes right ear. If you've ever heard a heartbeat or blood flow on an ultrasound this is exactly how'd I describe what I'm hearing. Sometimes I get a very dull ache and fullness feeling in my left ear.

I haven't yet been to the doctor as it just started. I don't even know how to explain this to my doctor. I've read a lot of stories of people being told to just "live with it" by their physicians. Or "it's just tinnitus" and the doctor not exploring the cause.

I'm worried as to the cause. I know a lot of things can cause it. I have no major health issues that I know of. I'm a 35 year old female. I am on a low dose of levothyroxine for sublcinical hypothyroidism. I also do suffer from TMJ.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[Karen]

Hi, @xraychick01, and welcome!

I'm sorry you've been afflicted with what sounds like pulsatile tinnitus. I have it, too, and agree with your description of it as sounding like the heartbeat on an ultrasound -- that's a very good way to describe it.

There are so many possible causes for PT that it's hard to say what might have caused it. It sounds like yours started suddenly, like mine did. Was there anything else that you were doing, or other medicines you were taking, around the time that it started?

I'm on Synthroid for hypothyroidism, too, and I've heard that being hypothyroid might be a possible cause. TMJ is a possibility, too.

If you decide to go to a doctor, I would suggest going to a neurotologist, if there is one near you, as they generally have more knowledge about PT than regular ENT's. Your doctor may prescribe testing, if warranted, such as MRI, CT scan, etc. Another thing you could consider would be to get checked out by a dentist or TMJ specialist, to see if there is anything they could suggest that you could do to aid the TMJ.

Whooshers.com is a website for people with pulsatile tinnitus, and there you will find a list of questions you can print out to take to your doctor regarding possible causes of PT. It might help to arm yourself with this information so that you can have a meaningful discussion with your doctor about possible causes of your PT.

I hope this information helps, and I'd be interested to hear what your doctor says, if you decide to schedule an appointment.

Best wishes,
Karen

 

[xraychick01]

Thank you Karen I have not started any new meds etc. so I do not believe it's related to that. I have noticed some soreness around that TMJ recently. Also, I have a feeling of fullness in my left ear so I'm wondering if I might have an inner ear infection coming on. I think for now I'm going to keep an eye on it and if it worsens or persists I will consider a visit to the doctor. I will look at that print out you suggested as well.

Thanks so much!
Kristen

 

[Karen]

Hi, Kristen,

A feeling of fullness is not unusual for those of us with T and/or PT. I had that feeling of fullness myself for quite awhile (at least a couple of years), and it has finally gone away on its own. If a doctor is unable to find that you have an ear infection, it could be just a natural side effect of your PT.

Thanks, and please do keep me posted on how you're doing!

Karen